Crime & Safety

South Suburban DUI Arrests, March 17

A Midlothian man charged with DUI says he was sitting in the child seat when the car crashed. A fatal crash kills an Orland Park man and the charges have piled up on the driver. These and more in our weekly roundup of Southland's drunken driving re

 

TINLEY PARK

March 8: Laura A. Kolloway, 22, of the 7800 block of Joliet Drive in Tinley Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, driving without insurance, failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and driving without a license, according to a report. Officers were called at about 1:58 a.m. to a crash involving a parked car near 7719 S. Joliet Dr. Police found Kolloway standing next to her 2006 Honda Civic. She told police she was driving and stuck a parked 1991 Toyota Supra. An officer could smell alcohol on her breath while she was being treated by paramedics, according to the report. Kolloway took field sobriety tests, which she failed, the report stated. She was arrested and booked at the Tinley Park Police Department. A breath test she took at the station resulted in a blood-alcohol level of 0.214. She is due in Bridgeview court on April 3.

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March 7: A Midlothian man charged with driving under the influence claimed he actually was riding in a child's car seat, police said. Matthew L. Slattery, 23, of the 14900 block of Terrace Lane in Midlothian, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, driving without insurance and improper lane use, according to a Tinley Park police report. Police were called at about 9:28 p.m. on March 7 for a report of someone banging on store windows at 16649 Oak Park Ave. That's where officers found Slattery, who appeared to be highly intoxicated, according to the report. A Chevy Cavalier was stuck in a nearby snow bank, and Slattery initially told police that, while he was drunk, his friend was the one driving the car. Slattery then claimed he had been sitting in the backseat, inside a child safety seat, and that it was a “tight fit," according to the report. The police report did not indicate if the friend was found. Police arrested Slattery and took him to the Tinley Park Police Department for booking. At the station, he initially refused to take sobriety tests but later submitted to a breath test, which resulted in a blood-alcohol level of 0.234. He is due in Bridgeview court on April 3.

ORLAND PARK

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March 13: A 19-year-old Burr Ridge man has been charged with aggravated DUI in a crash that killed an Orland Park man. Nicholas Puccinelli had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit when the 2002 GMC Denali he was driving southbound in the northbound lane of La Grange Road struck a 2002 Nissan Sentra head-on near 105th Street, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office. He was charged on March 13. The driver of the Sentra, a 64-year-old Orland Park man, was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to Cook County. He was reportedly on his way to work at 3:10 a.m. when he was hit by the Denali. Puccinelli also was treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was arrested by Cook County Sheriff's police. He is set to appear in Bridgeview bond court on March 14.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS

March 11: Angela M. Wallace, 43, of the 900 block of University Avenue in Matteson, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to wear a seatbelt and driving with expired registration, according to a police report. An officer noticed Wallace's vehicle had expired registration and performed a traffic stop at about 12:23 a.m. near the intersection of Chicago Road and Forest Street. When speaking with Wallace, the officer allegedly could smell an odor of alcohol on her breath. She told the officer she only had one drink in an hour. Wallace was asked to take field sobriety tests, after which she was arrested. She later refused to take a breath test. Wallace is due in Markham court on April 24.

March 9: Beverly Ware, 29, of the 3600 block of 215th Street in Matteson, was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, improper overtaking, disobeying a stop light and driving without proof of insurance, according to a report. Police allegedly registered Ware's car as traveling 71 mph in a 30 mph zone at about 1:56 a.m. near 14th Street and Hilltop Avenue. The officer reported smelling an odor of alcohol on her breath during the traffic stop. She also had blood-shot eyes and slurred her speech, according to the report. Ware allegedly failed field sobriety tests and was arrested. She later refused to take a breath test at the police department. Ware is due in Markham court on April 24.

March 9: Joshua D. Kutz, 28, of the 100 block of Emelia Street in Chicago Heights, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, speeding and improper lane use, according to a police report. Kutz was stopped for speeding at about 3:58 a.m. near 83 W. Joe Orr Rd. Police noted that Kutz had bloodshot eyes and had a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. He also reportedly needed to grab onto the door to steady himself as the left the car. Kutz was asked to perform field sobriety tests, after which he was arrested. While at the station, he took a breath test.

March 4: Clifton H. Brown, 47 of the 3500 block of Nicolette Drive in Crete, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, according to a Chicago Heights police report. Witnesses called police to say a silver Toyota was swerving in the road. Police found the car at about 4:47 p.m. near 2308 Chicago Road. The driver reportedly was asleep behind the wheel. Police could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Brown was arrested and taken to the police station, where he took a breath test.

NEW LENOX

March 9: Michael P. O'Neill, 49, of the 700 block of Cherry Hill Road, was pulled over for speeding at Route 30 and Cherry Hill Road. According to the report, he appeared to have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was cited for both violations and released.

March 9: Michele M. Pavesich, 43, of the 700 block of Bon Terre Road, was spotted speeding in the 1200 block of E. Lincoln Highway. Police said she then stopped her car in the middle of an intersection. According to the report, she appeared to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, she had no insurance on the vehicle.

FRANKFORT

March 10: Ryan W. Swindle, 28, of the 1200 block of Prairie Estates Drive in New Lenox, was cited for speeding and driving under the influence at 11:27 p.m., according to a report. He was released after posting bond and was given an April 5 court date.

PALOS HEIGHTS

March 9: David A. Dicharo, 27, of the 7000 block of West 100th Street in Chicago Ridge, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane use and following too closely, according to a police report. Police stopped Dicharo at 3:36 a.m. near 12700 S. Harlem Ave., for following too closely and discovered during the traffic stop that he allegedly showed signs of drinking. He also reportedly failed field sobriety tests. He is due in court on April 11.

March 8: Andrew X. Sanchez, 21, of the 600 block of Aspen Drive in Romeoville, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 and speeding, according to a police report. Police stopped Sanchez for speeding at about 10:53 p.m. near 12800 S. Harlem Ave. and, while speaking with him, allegedly saw signs he had been drinking. Sanchez failed field sobriety tests and was booked at the Palos Heights Police Department. He is due in court on April 2.

March 8: Mohammad J. Abdulrahman, 38, of the 9300 block of South 81st Court in Hickory Hills, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, speeding, driving without lights when required, no valid insurance and improper standing on the roadway, according to report. Abdulrahman was stopped for speeding and driving without lights. Police allegedly determined he was under the influence of alcohol. He is due in court on April 25.

March 1: TJ Guzier, 25, of Willow Springs, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane use, squealing tire and driving with a loud muffler, according to a report. Police spotted Guzier's vehicle at about 4:30 a.m. near the 10100 block of Roberts Road. It was traveling fast and squealed its tires. During a traffic stop, police were able to smell a strong order of alcohol on his breath. Field sobriety tests were conducted, which Guzier allegedly failed. He was given an April 23 court date.

MOKENA

March 10: Brian T. Major, 30, of the 22000 block of Somerset Court in Frankfort, was charged with driving under the influence and disobeying a traffic control signal, according to a report. Police saw a red Chevy blazer at about 11:37 p.m. stopped in the intersection of La Grange Road and 191st Street. When the officer ordered the car to a nearby gas station, it started to move slowly toward oncoming traffic before veering back into the correct lane, according to the report. The car stopped after making a U-turn and nearly striking the curb. Police said it was traveling less than 10 mph during the entire ordeal. When the officer asked driver to get out of the car, he responded by asking “What did I do?” Major allegedly failed several field sobriety tests and was arrested, according to the report. During the arrest, Major reportedly said “I only had three beers." and "It’s snowing.” The officer noted in the report that it had been 50 degrees out that day. Major refused to take a breath test after he was taken to the Mokena Police Department. He is due in Will County court on April 2.

FLOSSMOOR

March 9: Lamara Brownridge, 19, of the 3700 block of Wentworth, in Chicago, was charged with improper lane use, driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, illegal transportation of an open container, driving without a license, driving without proof of insurance and obstructing identification. Brownridge was stopped after police saw her speed and weave in traffic. She was unable to show a driver's license or proof of insurance. An officer also reported being able to smell an extremely strong odor of alcohol on her breath. She allegedly failed field sobriety tests and was arrested. During booking, she also submitted to a breath test. Police determined Brownridge was wanted on an outstanding Calumet City warrant for damage to property.

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Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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